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Home My WebLink About09-15-2026 Canton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes CANTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Historic Depot-Donald E. Edwards Way th 50 North 4 Avenue, Canton, Il 61520 A regular meeting of the Canton City Council was held on September 15, 2026 (6:30pm) at the th Historic Depot located at 50 North 4 Avenue Canton Illinois. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor Kent McDowell, City Clerk Andi Smith-Walters, Acting Treasurer Paula Grigsby, Police Chief Corey Miller, Fire Chief Lance Lusk, Street Superintendent Dash Wilson, and Finance Director Caitlyn Leingang. OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: City Attorney Chris Jump. MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: Fulton Democrat MEETING CALLED TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENED THE MEETING INVOCATION – Mayor Kent McDowell The invocation was delivered, followed by a moment of silence in memory of Kent Beckner, a longtime employee of the Street Department who had recently passed away. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Davis x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: A correction was noted to the agenda item under Public Works, which was updated to read “Ordinance Authorizing Sale of Two (2) 2019 Garbage Trucks to MacQueen Equipment.” No further additions, deletions, or corrections were made. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: No public comment was received. PUBLIC HEARING: PUBLIC HEARING FOR A PROPOSED ANNEXATION AGREEMENT (OR “PRE-ANNEXATION”) AGREEMENT INVOLVING REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 24834 E. BARKER DRIVE, CANTON, ILLINOIS 61520 (PIN #10-09-19-402-014). The public hearing was opened at 6:39pm and no public comment was received. The hearing was closed at 6:40pm. MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: Final Plaza Concert: The final concert of the season at the plaza is scheduled for Saturday. September 26, 2026, at 7:00pm. Due to a Story Time event running from 10:00 to 11:00am that morning, Mayor McDowell announced that the opening of the entertainment district would be delayed to noon, running noon to midnight. DCEO Emergency Funds / Flood Relief: McDowell reported on a productive meeting held that day with various entities regarding the distribution of DCEO emergency funds released by the state in response to a recent disaster. A public hearing and special session on this matter is nd scheduled for September 22 at the county level. McDowell stated that the city would be pursuing reimbursement for labor costs, dumpster costs, tipping fees, fuel, and hours related to the disaster response. Damage to the spillway, road, and dam would be submitted separately through FEMA, as the total damage across the affected counties had surpassed the $24 million threshold required for FEMA eligibility. McDowell noted that the finance director, Caitlyn Leingang, and the city’s FEMA contacts had been instrumental in navigating this process, and that street superintendent, Dash Wilson’s department had been coordinating with staff to assist remaining affected residents, including elderly citizens. A Baptist volunteer group was noted to still be active in cleanup efforts throughout the area, including Cuba and Dunfermline. McDowell indicated that final numbers would be compiled by Friday and submitted accordingly. CITY CLERK COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTED ACTION: City Clerk, Andi Smith-Walters, had no council actions. DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS: Acting Treasurer, Paula Grigsby, had nothing to report. Police Chief, Corey Miller , noted that the written Chief’s report had been distributed and was available for questions. A brief discussion arose regarding jurisdictional authority along Walnut thth Street between 11 and 20, which runs through a shared city/county boundary. Miller confirmed that a mutual aid agreement exists with the county and that officers routinely patrol that area. Miller further noted that most officers have been deputized, establishing sufficient jurisdictional authority for enforcement activities in that corridor. Fire Chief, Lance Lusk, had nothing to report. Street Superintendent, Dash Wilson, had nothing to report. Finance Director, Caitlyn Leingang , noted that a budget report had been included in the Council packet as a starting reference, and welcomed any feedback on its format or content. Leingang also noted that an amended BDD report had been distributed that afternoon, superseding the earlier version. CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES HELD SEPTEMBER 1, 2026. BILL LIST DISBURSEMENT REPORT TREASURER’S REPORT PUBLIC WORKS REPORT POLICE REPORT FIRE REPORT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Nelson/Pickel to approve the consent agenda. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Davis x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: PUBLIC SAFETY AND LEGAL ALDERPERSON JUSTIN NELSON, CHAIR REGULATORY AND POLICY ALDERPERSON ANGELA HALE, CHAIR APPROVAL OF A CLASS F SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE REQUEST FROM OLD DOG, LLC FOR THE SIX ONE FIVE COLLECTIVE BAND EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2026. The application was reviewed and found to be in order. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Hale/Ketcham for approval of a Class F Special Event Liquor License request from Old Dog, LLC for the Six One Five Collective band event on September 26, 2026. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Davis x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALDERPERSON JOHN LOVELL, CHAIR PUBLIC WORKS ALDERPERSON DAVE PICKEL, CHAIR RESOLUTION APPROVING A PRE-ANNEXATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANTON AND ROB BERTRAM AND STACIE BERTRAM INVOLVING REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 24834 E. BARKER DRIVE, CANTON, ILLINOIS (PIN #10-09-19-402-014). There was no further discussion. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Pickel/Davis to approve a resolution approving a pre-annexation agreement between the City of Canton and Rob Bertram and Stacie Bertram involving real property located at 24834 E. Barker Drive, Canton, Illinois (PIN #10-09-19-402-014). ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Davis x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. APPROVAL TO AWARD THE KILROY LIFT STATION PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BID TO TAZWELL COUNTY ASPHALT CO. INC. It was noted for the record that Tazwell County Asphalt Co. Inc. was the sole bidder on the project, submitting a bid of $37,400, which was within the budgeted amount. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Pickel/Hale for approval to award the Kilroy Lift Station Parking Lot Improvement Project bid to Tazwell County Asphalt Co. Inc. in the amount of $37,400. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Davis x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF TWO (2) 2025 GARBAGE TRUCKS, AND RELATED OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES, AND WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO SAME. City Attorney, Chris Jump, explained the rationale for the waiver of competitive bidding requirements, noting that it is standard practice when purchasing through Sourcewell or similar cooperative purchasing programs. Jump clarified that the rear loader component, manufactured by McNelius, was competitively procured through a Sourcewell contract, and that MacQueen Equipment is the authorized dealer. However, the Freightliner chassis – priced at approximately $107,000 per unit – is not part of the Sourcewell contract and is being purchased separately through MacQueen. The total purchase price is $251,619 per truck, for a combined total of $503,238. Alderman Grimm expressed discomfort with approving a $500,000 purchase without a full competitive bid process and voted against the ordinance. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Pickel/Hale to approve an ordinance authorizing purchase of two (2) 2025 garbage trucks, and related options and accessories, and waiving competitive bidding requirements related to same with a total purchase price of $503,238. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Davis x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SALE OF TWO (2) 2019 GARBAGE TRUCKS TO MACQUEEN EQUIPMENT. The two 2019 garbage trucks are to be sold to MacQueen Equipment at $51,000 each. Jump noted this ordinance is contingent upon the related purchase ordinance previously adopted. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Pickel/Hale to approve an ordinance authorizing sale of two (2) 2019 garbage trucks to MacQueen Equipment in the amount of $51,000 each. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Davis x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. FINANCE ALDERPERSON ANDRA CHAMBERLIN, CHAIR RESOLUTION APPROVING COMMERICAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT WITH U.S. BANK. Attorney Jump and Acting Treasurer Grigsby explained that the city’s longstanding corporate credit card program, previously held with BMO Bank for approximately ten years, is transitioning to U.S. Bank following an acquisition. The program, administered through PFN Financial Services, provides cash-back rewards based on usage. Finance Director, Caitlyn Leingang, noted that she had flagged a concern regarding the length of the agreement’s term and the 180-day cancellation notice requirement, and indicated she would follow up with U.S. Bank to negotiate more favorable terms before the agreement is executed. The resolution was brought forward to authorize the signature while allowing flexibility to refine the agreement. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Chamberlin/Lovell for approval of a resolution approving commercial account agreement with U.S. Bank. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Davis x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. IT AND CYBERSECURITY ALDERPERSON COLIN DAVIS, CHAIR LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ALDERPERSON RALPH GRIMM, CHAIR PROPERTY ALDERPERSON PATRICK KETCHAM, CHAIR Alderman Ketcham noted that going forward, he intended to bring constituent concerns to Council through his communications segment. He shared a request from residents in the th vicinity of North 4 Avenue regarding the possible installation of a culvert following recent heavy rains that caused drainage issues and property damage in the area near the apartment complex adjacent cornfield. He asked that Dash note the request and have city staff investigate. Ketcham offered photographs to assist in identifying the specific location. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REQUESTS FOR BIDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF 226 W. SPRUCE STREET, CANTON, ILLINOIS 61520. Attorney Jump explained that this resolution initiates the traditional competitive bidding process for the disposal of city-owned property at 226 W. Spruce Street. Jump noted that this route differs from the TIP Act or surplus property appraisal process sometimes used by the city. Per state law, notice must be published for at least three successive weeks, with the first publication no fewer than 30 days before the bid opening. The bid deadline was set for October 30, 2026, at rd 5:00pm, with bids to be opened at the city council meeting. It was noted that November 3 falls on an Election Day, requiring the meeting to be rescheduled. Council reached consensus to hold the November meeting on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 6:30pm, and directed that a formal motion be made to reflect the updated bid opening date. Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Ketcham/Pickel for approval of a resolution authorizing requests for bids for the purchase of 226 W. Spruce Street, Canton, Illinois 61520, with bids due no later than October 30, 2026, at 5:00pm and a bid opening date to be updated to November 4, 2026. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Davis x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin Mayor McDowell x The motion carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION/CLOSED MEETING ADJOURNMENT Motion and second were made by Alderpersons Nelson/Grimm to adjourn. ROLL CALL Yes No Absent Alderperson Davis x Alderperson Pickel x Alderperson Ketcham x Alderperson Hale x Alderperson Grimm x Alderperson Lovell x Alderperson Nelson x Alderperson x Chamberlin The motion carried. _________________________________________________________________ Andi Smith-Walters, City Clerk _________________________________________________________________ Kent McDowell, Mayor